[um.ber] n [prob. fr. obs. E, shade, color, fr. ME umbre shade, shadow, fr. MF, fr. L umbra--more at umbrage] (1568) 1: a brown earth that is darker in color than ocher and sienna because of its content of manganese and iron oxides and is highly valued as a permanent pigment either in the raw or burnt state
2. a: a moderate to dark yellowish brown b: a moderate brown
[2]umber vt um.bered ; um.ber.ing (1610): to darken with or as if with umber [3]umber adj (1802): of, relating to, or having the characteristics of umber; specif: of the color of umber